VISIT TOTTORI CITY

Uradome Coast is a popular tourist area in Iwami Town. Over the years, it has been shaped into rock arches, caves, and numerous islands of various sizes, around which the vast expanse of a deep, clear marine-blue sea spreads out.

On an island boat tour, you can enjoy the breathtaking natural beauty of this area from the sea. On large cruise ships, you can get up close to sheer cliffs and caves for an up-close experience of the majestic and dynamic scenery of the Sea of Japan.

There are several types of pleasure boats available, including the “Uradome Coast Island Small Boat Uradome,” which is able to navigate narrow channels inaccessible to larger ships to explore oddly-shaped rocks and shallow coves, as well as private chartered cruisers.

Ube Shrine is renowned as the first shrine in Japan to have its design featured on banknotes. Due to its association with money, it attracts many worshippers who visit to pray for business prosperity.

The Reitai-sai (annual grand festival) is held every year on April 21. This features the Kirin-jishi mai, a Shinto ritual that has been performed for over 350 years. A jishi mai, or lion dance, is a traditional Japanese performance in which performers don lion masks and dance, and its magnificent movements captivate many people.

The Miyuki-sai held on the weekend before and after the Reitai-sai features a procession of people wearing armor and carrying weapons, as well as the Yatsu-no-mai, which recreates the rituals of samurai from the Tottori domain.

Tottori City is home to Tottori Onsen which gushes out from a source in the city center, rare even in Japan. After enjoying your trip, relax with a soak in the hot springs. The city center is also bustling with restaurants and other establishments.

■Make a hotel reservation (Jalan) (Japanese)
■Make a hotel reservation (Rakuten Travel) (Japanese)

This shrine is associated with a Japanese myth about the white rabbit of Inaba, in which a kind-hearted deity saves a wounded rabbit and, as a result, becomes a deity of love matches and marriage. The shrine is recognized as the birthplace of Japan's first love story and has been designated as a “Lover’s Sanctuary."

The grounds are lined with adorable statues of white rabbits, and you can buy ema (wooden plaques on which people write their wishes) and omamori (amulets) decorated with a rabbit motif. Among these, Hakuto Shrine is famous for its musubi ishi, an amulet that includes five stones. It is said that writing your wish on the stones and placing them at the torii gate or a white rabbit statue, will make the wish come true.

Not far from the shrine is a roadside station where you can enjoy seafood dishes while gazing out across the Sea of Japan, as well as Hakuto Beach and Hakuto-no-oka, renowned for beautiful sunsets and breathtaking views.

This is a roadside station located right in front of Hakuto Beach. This coast is the setting for the Japanese myth about the white rabbit of Inaba and is famous as a place for love matches due to its link with the story.

In addition to purchasing various local specialties from Tottori, you can enjoy fresh seafood cuisine at the second-floor restaurant that overlooks the sea. The menu features local gourmet dishes and unique items inspired by the myth. There is also a wide selection of sweets and merchandise with the white rabit as the motif.

This facility introduces the attractions of Tottori Sand Dunes through various exhibits and videos. There is a zone that showcases the beautiful sand dune ecosystem, a corner that offers a realistic experience of the sand dunes in a mini theater, and a zone where you can learn about the formation and characteristics of the sand dunes. Deepening your interest and understanding of Tottori Sand Dunes will make your trip to the sand dunes even more enjoyable.

If you are taking a night tour, you can immerse yourself in magical landscapes with beautiful sunsets, wind ripple patterns that emerge out of the darkness, and starry skies.

There are also convenient facilities where you can wash the sand that had become stuck to your feet during your walk. Have a fun and comfortable time exploring the sand dunes.

The beautiful sand dunes, spread across the Sea of Japan, is one of Japan's largest expanse of coastal sand dunes. A part of it has been designated a national natural monument. In particular, “Umanose" (“Horse’s Back”), a wall of sand that stands at a height of 47 m, is an impressive and poweful sight when viewed from directly below.

The wave-like patterns created by the sea breezes are incredibly beautiful, and exude the strong presence of nature’s ever-changing beauty.

◆ Be careful to avoid heatstroke.

At Tottori Sand Dunes, even in seasons other than summer, there is a risk of heatstroke when the maximum temperature exceeds 20 degrees Celsius. There is no shade within the sand dunes, so please bring a hat, umbrella, or other sun protection, as well as plenty of fluids, and take proper precautions against heatstroke before heading out.

◆ Replenish your water and salt intake frequently.

(Drinking alcohol the day before may cause dehydration, so be sure to take plenty of fluids on the day of your visit).

◆ We recommend wearing cool clothing and using a hat or parasol.

◆Take breaks at moderate intervals and avoid strenuous schedules.

◆ If you feel unwell, rest immediately in a cool place.

Sand becomes extremely hot when the sun is strong, so walking barefoot or in sandals could result in burns. Be sure to wear socks and shoes when walking on the sand.

◆ Information on camel riding experiences

Starting in 2024, only commemorative photo sessions will be offered on weekends, national holidays, spring holidays, summer holidays, autumn holidays, winter holidays, Golden Week (late April to early May), and Silver Week (mid-September).

(On most weekdays, operations are also focused mainly on photo sessions.)

Please note that operations may be suspended on the day without prior notice due to weather or the camels’ condition.

Please check Rakudaya’s official website (Japanese) for details.

When you visit the sand dunes, why not enjoy a lunch of seafood in the surrounding area?
Check out the gourmet spots around the sand dunes!

■Gourmet information for Tottori Sand Dunes and Karo Port area
■Check out the gourmet website, Tabelog (Japanese)
■Check out the gourmet website, Retty (Japanese)

This market is lined with shops selling fresh seafood from the Sea of Japan, as well as dried goods and other gifts. It also houses reasonably priced restaurants, a specialty shop for Tottori's famous “tofu chikuwa,” and a coffee shop.

It adjoins the Local Products Plaza Wattaina, which sells locally grown vegetables and Wagyu beef, making this area a hub for Tottori's food culture.

Tottori Karo Crab Aquarium is also located nearby. This compact aquarium (free admission) features crabs, and is a popular tourist spot for families.

Karoichi Fish Market is just a 2-minute walk from Tottori Port and about a 15-minute drive from Tottori Station. It is also close to Tottori Airport, making it a convenient place to while away the time as you wait for your flight.